Escondido trustees to vote on new supervisor's contract

ESCONDIDO —— High school district trustees are expected tonight
to formally hire the man they have selected as the district's next
superintendent.

Ed Nelson, 52, currently an assistant superintendent in charge
of human resources, would be paid $150,000 under the new contract.
The contract begins July 1.

Nelson's salary would come out of the 7,900-student district's
general fund. The district is currently operating under a $57.1
million budget this school year.

The board has negotiated the contract with Nelson in closed
session meetings; it is unlikely they will vote against approving
it.

Nelson would also have a $500 monthly car allowance and a $400
monthly expense account.

The district announced Feb. 9 that current Superintendent David
Hughes would retire June 30, and that Nelson, an educator for 29
years, had been tapped to replace him. Nelson has worked at the
district for 10 years, as a principal and then a district
administrator.

Hughes told the board in January that he planned to retire this
year.

The board interviewed Nelson at a closed session board meeting
Feb. 8, and decided at that point that they would not do a national
search for Hughes' replacement, trustees said last month.

The decision meant that they planned to hire Nelson, they
said.

School board president Pam Grosso said Monday that the
negotiations for this new superintendent were smoother than others
in the past.

Grosso said Nelson's history with the district and Hughes'
assistance made a difference.

Of the $150,000 salary, Grosso said, "It represents stated
confidence in Ed as the next superintendent. It also leaves him
room for growth, and I think that's always good in any business ——
you want to present the chief executive officer opportunities to be
challenged and to be rewarded."

Nelson is currently paid $123,000 a year and has a $250 monthly
driving allowance and a $150 monthly expense account. His benefits
will remain the same under the new contract.

Nelson's pay would be lower than that of two other
superintendents at North County high school districts.

Thomas Anthony, superintendent of the 3,100-student Fallbrook
Union High School District, makes $164,824 a year, and has a $500
monthly car allowance and a $400 monthly expense account.

Peggy Lynch, superintendent of the 11,700-student San Dieguito
Union High School District, is paid $159,015 a year. Details on
Lynch's car allowance and expense accounts was not available
Monday.

Nelson said he felt his new contract is "very fair." More than
compensation, he talked about his excitement for his new job.

"The change is starting to settle in, and the transition
meetings are beginning, and that brings reality to the excitement,
as I start to see different aspects and get a grip on the enormity
of the position, if you will," Nelson said.

The board meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the district offices, 302
N. Midway Drive.